Texas State Bar Defense Attorney
Top Texas Legal License Defense Lawyers
Attorneys are dedicated to ensuring the smooth functioning of justice and the legal system. Without legal representation, many individuals and families would face unjust treatment and would not receive well-deserved settlements, which can be essential to a person’s financial or emotional well-being. Unfortunately, some attorneys face disciplinary action and need the help of a Texas state bar defense attorney to keep their license.
This profession is filled with numerous obstacles that attorneys have spent years studying how to navigate. However, even when a lawyer is well-prepared and has a solid defense, the nature of the field can place lawyers in a difficult position when managing complicated circumstances.
Despite your honest and hard work to defend your client, other individuals may misinterpret your efforts or twist facts to help themselves, placing you and your job in a perilous position.
Unfortunately, as the result of working in an often-contentious field, in which emotions can run high, all too often, ethical and dedicated legal professionals face the serious ramifications of a potential disbarring. Although this is a difficult time in your career and life, you do not have to go through this process alone.
The Texas state bar defense attorneys of Leichter Law know that the threat of disbarring can be incredibly serious and can have huge repercussions on an attorney’s ability to practice law and make a living. We are dedicated to protecting the rights and livelihoods of attorneys like you, and we may be able to help protect your ability to practice law.
When faced with sanctions or possible disbarment, you must act quickly and seek legal advice as soon as possible. To discuss your situation with our understanding attorneys, please contact us today by calling 512-495-9995.
How Does the Texas State Bar Discipline Process Work?
When anyone, including clients, judges, legal professionals, and public members, suspect that an attorney has violated the code of legal ethics, they can file a grievance against that attorney. The State Bar of Texas allows state bar complaints to be submitted via their website, regional offices, any state bar court, bar association, or through the State Bar’s Client Attorney Assistance Program (CAAP).
Complaints and Investigations
After a grievance is filed against an attorney, the Chief Disciplinary Counsel (CDC) initiates the investigation process. They begin by determining whether the attorney in question has actually violated any ethics rules. They decide whether the grievance, as it appears, is enough to allege a professional conduct violation.
This step is referred to as the “classification” of the grievance. Generally, grievances are classified within 30 days of receiving them. If the CDC does not find that the grievance alleges a violation, they classify it as a simple Inquiry. Common reasons why a grievance may be dismissed include the following.
- There was no specific mention of a violation of an ethics rule.
- The grievance was filed too late.
- It does not involve the lawyer’s professional conduct.
- The grievance is a duplicate of a previous filing.
- It involves someone who is not licensed by the Texas State Bar. These issues then go to the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee.
- The grievance concerns an attorney who has already been disbarred, who has resigned, or who is deceased.
- The grievance is filed against a current sitting judge. These cases then go to the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
It is possible for the person who submitted the grievance to appeal its classification and dismissal. They can appeal this decision to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals (BODA), which the Supreme Court of Texas appoints. If BODA reverses the classification decision and deems the grievance a Complaint, the case is sent back to the CDC for processing.
If the CDC does find that the grievance alleges a violation, they classify it as a Complaint. They will then send the Complaint to the respondent attorney for their answer. The respondent attorney has 30 days from the date they received the complaint to respond.
Potential Penalties
The American Bar Association oversees the creation and implementation of ethical codes in the legal field in the United States. However, in Texas, there is another organization called the State Bar of Texas, which can create additional regulations as it deems necessary.
These organizations work together to hold lawyers accountable for their actions. Unfortunately, some people may misuse these codes of conduct, by misrepresenting your actions, to damage you and your career.
If you are accused of unethical behavior, you may face several different kinds of punishment. The type of punishment (known as a sanction) you could receive will depend on the evidence presented against you at your state bar complaint hearing.
According to the Texas State Bar, the sanctions you could receive can vary greatly depending on the case, but they may include:
- A public reprimand – The information discussed at the hearing is published and available to the public.
- Fully probated suspension – The lawyer may continue to practice only under the terms of their probation, as determined by the hearing.
- Partially probated suspension – The lawyer may not practice during a specified period of time and then may begin to practice again during the “probation period,” under the terms of the probation.
- Active suspension – The lawyer may not practice at all during a period of time specified during the hearing
- Disbarment – The lawyer completely loses their license to practice law, and they cannot appeal this decision for five years.
The possible consequences of a disciplinary hearing, as stated in this list, each has different levels of severity. However, any one of these sanctions would remain a public part of your record. This could seriously damage your reputation and jeopardize the future of your career in law.
If you face possible sanctions from the Texas State Bar, you must contact a lawyer as quickly as possible to get the legal representation you need to protect yourself and your law practice.
Why You Need a Texas State Bar Defense Attorney
When you are a skilled lawyer who is well-versed in the processes and terminology of the field, it can seem almost absurd to consider hiring a lawyer for yourself. However, representing a case and being a part of a case are two very different experiences.
Combining these two roles in a legal proceeding can have disastrous results because your knowledge as a lawyer and your views as a plaintiff may be in conflict.
When you are facing potential disbarring, you are likely filled with numerous emotions. You may be angry and frustrated that you have been placed in this situation. You may be anxious about the future of your job and how this will impact your life and your practice.
These emotions can quickly cloud your judgment, which may prevent you from viewing the facts impartially and could damage your ability to make a compelling case.
Because of this, it’s important to work with another lawyer who is knowledgeable in Texas State Bar Law. With an attorney by your side, you can be assured that you will receive the best defense possible while you focus on managing the emotional impact of this situation on your life.
Why Choose Leichter Law for Your Legal License Defense Team?
At the Leichter Law Firm, our team of attorneys focuses on Texas administrative law, which gives us extensive experience and skill in protecting other lawyers whose professional licenses are at risk. We have a proven track record of success protecting the reputations and careers of many different kinds of professionals, including attorneys who must appear before the Texas State Bar to answer charges leveled against them.
Furthermore, as lawyers ourselves, we understand the importance of your case, and we will work with you to ensure that your rights are protected. You need a law firm that not only understands the frustration and fear associated with the threat of disbarment, but that has also devoted its practice and time to defending other lawyers who are facing a major obstacle in their careers.
Experienced Texas Legal License Defense
At the Leichter Law Firm, we know that defending lawyers who are in danger of losing their licenses is unique from other forms of professional license defense. You are working in a field that requires an in-depth understanding of the law, which is frequently up for debate and open to interpretation.
This means that the facts of a case, as well as your decisions in that case, may not always be clear to your clients. They may misunderstand your intentions and misinterpret your actions, ultimately leading to them making incorrect allegations against you.
We know the possible repercussions that you may face following a disciplinary board review, and we know the keys to defending you from them. We may be able to help you with the following.
- Attorney disciplinary actions
- Reinstatement
- Admission to the bar
- Ethical evidence concerns
- Allegations of legal malpractice
Although these are some of the most common problems you may be facing as a Texas lawyer, our skilled legal team is prepared to assist you during any problem you are facing with your legal license. Our Texas disbarring defense attorneys are well-versed in protecting the needs of lawyers who face disciplinary action, and we have developed a reputation for intelligent and compassionate defense.
Contact a Texas State Bar Defense Attorney with Leichter Law Today
If your legal career is in jeopardy and you are interested in fighting to save it, the Leichter Law Firm would like to hear from you. Our attorneys understand what is at stake for you and your career, and because of this, we can offer the legal counsel you need to protect yourself.
We are prepared to support you through this difficult time, and we will help you receive the best possible outcome. Our dedicated Texas legal license defense attorneys know what it takes to win big cases. Contact us today by calling 512-495-9995. When you establish an attorney-client relationship with us, we ensure that everything you share with us remains completely confidential.
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1602 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 495-9995
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3700 N Main St
Houston, TX 77009
Phone: (713) 714-2446
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214 N 16th St #128
McAllen, TX 78501
Phone: (956) 205-0884
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